Lowell Willmouth Hunt, a resident of Victoria, Texas passed away at 1:13 A.M., Monday, April 16, 2011, at the Refugio Nursing and Rehab Center in Refugio, Texas at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 18 days.

Lowell was born on September 29, 1925, the son of Ben Franklin Hunt and Ollie Brinkly Hunt. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having serving in the United States Marines. On February 7, 1946, Lowell married the love of his life, Marie Denney. Together the two of them raised Cathy and Lowell Richard Hunt.

Lowell is preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; his son; his brothers, Frank, Veron and Orin Hunt; and his sisters, Totsie Dittfourth and Lois Harpin. Mr. Hunt is survived by his daughter, Cathy Martin and husband Ronnie of Victoria; and his grandchildren, Richard, Ronnie Gene, Danielle, Elizabeth, Jerry Don and Tommy. He is also survived by his 12 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 1:00 P.M., at the Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas. Officiating was Ray Remmers.

Edna Anmaline Gustafson Coward, a longtime resident of Pleasanton, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Pflugerville, Texas at 2:14 A.M., at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 15 days.

She was born in Kenedy, Texas on July 21, 1925 to Arthur and Lillie Gustafson. She was baptized at the Elim Lutheran Church on September 21, 1925 and confirmed in the very same church on September 24, 1938, by Pastor Gustaf Bergman.

Edna attended school in Cadillac, Texas and graduated from Pawnee High School on May 21, 1942. Shortly after graduating high school, she went to work for Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She worked as a parts chaser for one short week and then was put into office work and worked until June 26, 1970, when she retired at the age of 45.

She met Bill Coward at Kelly Air Force Base and they were married on August 15, 1943. They were married for 52 ½ years when Bill passed away on February 10, 1996. The two of them retired at the same time; Bill having served 33 years and Edna, 28 years.

After Edna and Bill’s retirement, they took a trip to Alaska to visit Bill’s brother. Edna and Bill both had pick-up trucks and travel trailers and they made the trip together down the Alcan Highway to Alaska. That trip was an experience that Edna never forgot. They stayed for three months as Bill and his brother, Buster worked on airplanes together. This time allowed Edna to cook and make sure the men where well fed.

When they made it back from their trip to Alaska, Bill and Edna traded in their travel trailer for a 20 foot Winnebago Motor Home. They later joined the Alamo Winnebago Club and the Texas Winnebago Club and traveled and made lots of new friends.   

In 1979, they traded for yet another new Winnebago and got a 29 foot one; they stayed with club until October 1988, when they sold their Winnebago and quit traveling as Bill began to have leg problems.

Edna is survived by her step-daughter, June Brandon and husband Hubert of Corpus Christi, Texas; her nieces, Priscilla Hicks and husband Ray of Austin, Texas and Kathy Grisham and husband Jim of Jarrell, Texas; her step-grandchildren, Scharee McGregor, Ernest Shelton and Dawn Verlander; her 7 step-great-grandchildren, 6 step-great-great-grandchildren; and her 8 great and great-great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Bill Coward; and her brother, Vernon Gustafson.

Visitation was held from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M., Friday, April 6, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 11:30 A.M., at Elim Lutheran Church in Kenedy, Texas, officiated by, Dr. Robert K. Blomstedt. Interment followed in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hudson Evans, a resident of Kerrville, Texas for the last 13 years, passed away in the North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 75 years and 4 months.

Gwen was born on December 1, 1936 in Clay Hill, Alabama the daughter of Dozier Hudson and Margaret Elizabeth Wilkinson Hudson.

Gwen is survived by her children, Vada LeSueur of Phoneix, Arizona and Joe Evans and wife Paula of Granbury, Texas; her grandchildren, Von LeSueur, Jarred Evans and Shawn Evans and wife Elaine; her great-grandchildren, Coral, Myles and Audrey Evans; her sisters, Meredean Shockome and husband Tom and Faye Baker; her aunt Dorothy Perkins; her brother-in-laws, Roy Brown and Malcolm Hannes. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters, Carolyn Hannes and Gail Brown; her niece, Sherry Hannes Collins and her nephews, Tommy Shockome, II and Anders Shockome.

A graveside service, officiated by Rev. David Collins, was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in the New Bremen Cemetery, near Karnes City, Texas. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were her grandsons, nephews and nieces.

Maria Elva Villarreal Gonzales of Coy City, Texas, passed
away on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in the Karnes City Health and Rehab Center at 6:30 P.M., at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 5 days.

She was born December 24, 1917 in Elsa, Texas, the
daughter of Pedro Villarreal and Elvira Velasquez Villarreal. She was a
homemaker and attended St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City.

She is survived by her daughters, Elvira Cruz and husband
Joe, Elena Rocha and husband Lupe and Santos Rodriguez; her sons, Pedro
Gonzales, Sr., and wife Mary, Carlos Gonzales and wife Lynette, Rosendo
Gonzales and Gregorio Gonzales and wife Sulema; 43 grandchildren; 90
great-grandchildren; and1 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gregorio G. Gonzales; her 2
daughters; 2 sons; 2 sisters; and 3 brothers.

A rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated 10 A.M., Monday, April 2, 2012 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City with Rev. Stanislaw Marciniak officiating. Burial followed in the Nell Cemetery, near Pawnee, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Gregorio Gonzales, III, Rolando Reyna, Tyler Flores, Dolores Rodriguez, Jr., Benny Gonzales, Jr., Billy Rocha, Sammy Gonzales and Daniel Ray Gonzales. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Cruz, Jr., Lupe Rocha, Jr., Manuel Rocha, Amado Cruz and Arturo Cruz.

Gabriela Recio Guevara, a resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 3:15 A.M., in the John Paul II Nursing Center at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 19 days.

Gabriela was born October 3, 1915, in Falfurrias, Texas the daughter of Roman and Nostara Luevano Recio.

Gabriela is survived by her daughters, Carmelita Guevara of Kenedy and Alicia Munoz of Temple; her 6 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Ms. Guevara is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jose Maria Guevara; her daughter, Maria Josefina Guevara; and her sons, Manuel, Ramon, and Bruno Guevara.

A rosary was recited on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas.

 John H. Poldreck, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Weesatche, Texas, at the age of 91.

John was born in Bee County, to James and Lena Roehr Poldreck. John proudly served his country in the United States Army where he served during World War II, from 1942 through 1945; 9 of those months were spent in combat. John was part of the 38^th Division where they were known as the “Avengers of Batan”. He was also a “Browning Automatic Riffle (BAR) Gunner” having fought in New Guinea, the Southern Philippines Island Campaign, Layte, Samar, Batan (Zig Zag Pass) and Luzon. Mr. Poldreck was very proud of his accomplishments and decorations and medals that he received. On November 17, 1968, John married Ramona Villanueva at the Pawnee Café.

John is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Ramona V. Poldreck; his sons, Lee Roy Poldreck and John Poldreck and wife Linda; his sister Ruth Pittman; and his 2 loving grandchildren. Marlena “Lana” Poldreck and Jordan Poldreck. Mr. Poldreck is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Walter, Edwin, John, Alex, Benny, Ernest and Louie Poldreck.

Graveside services were in the Weesatche Cemetery, Weesatche, Texas, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

Presiliano “Pres” Salinas, Sr., a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, went to be with the Lord on, Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 13 days.

Pres was born in Charco, Texas on January 4, 1927 to Antonio and Anita Salinas. After proudly serving in the United States Army, Pres married Rosie Ramirez on April 20 1955. Together they owned and operated Rosie’s Flower Shop; but their biggest joy was raising their children.

Pres is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Rosie Salinas; his sons, Ray Rossett and wife Martha of Kenedy, Norman Salinas and wife Gennie of Corpus Christi, Pres Salinas, Jr., and wife Diane of Helotes and Seferino Salinas of Killeen; his brothers, Tillie Salinas and wife Minnie of San Antonio, Aquiliano Salinas and wife Rafela and Dan Mejia and wife Natalia, both of Kenedy; and his beautiful 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Pres is also survived by a very dear niece, whom he and Rosie considered more as a daughter, JoAnn Bennett. Mr. Salinas proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Seferino Salinas; and his sister Antonia Mindieta.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery with Aaron Rossett, Seferino Salinas, Jr., Sam Salinas, Ryan Salinas, Stephen Salinas and Joe Altamirano, serving as pallbearers.

Nicolas “Nick” P. Contreras, resident of Pettus, Texas, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012, at 11:15 P.M., in the Bluebonnet Nursing Center in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 6 days.

Nick was born in Yorktown, Texas, on May 10, 1932 to Francisco Contreras and Nicolasa Perez Contreras. 

Nick leaves behind a loving family, survivors include; his daughters, Elva Gonzales of Runge and Cynthia Rodriguez of Pettus; his sons, Frank Contreras of Runge, David Contreras of San Antonio and Hector Ramirez of Chino, California; his sisters, Sylvia Perry of Victoria, Mary Jane Jaramillo of La Vernia, Rosalinda Alaniz of Dallas, Janie Contreras of Kenedy and Josephina Garcia of Brownfield; his brother, Rogelio Contreras of Victoria; and his 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mr. Contreras is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Carmen Reyna and Susana Garcia.

A rosary was recited on, Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, March 19, 2010 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Jimmy Flores Estrada passed away, Monday, March 12, 2012 at the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas, at the age of 56 years, 11 months and 6 days.

Jimmy was born April 3, 1955 in Altum, Texas the son of Juan and Petra Flores Estrada. He attended school in Kenedy and later went on to work in various fields of maintenance for both the City of Kenedy and the City of Beeville.

Jimmy is survived by his daughters; Erika Estrada of Huffman, Melissa Estrada and Sabrina Estrada, both of Runge; his son, Jimmy Lee Garza of Karnes City; his aunts, Isabell and Dora Estrada of Kenedy; his sisters, Francis Estrada of Kenedy and Peggy Luis Perez of Houston; his brothers, Juan Estrada and wife Crystal and Paul Estrada, both of Kenedy; and his grandsons, Jakob McDonald and Aiden Billman of Huffman. Jimmy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Estrada is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Petra Estrada.

A rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, March 15, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated on, Friday, March 16, 2012 at 10:00 A.M., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Travis Leon Shelton, of Beeville, Texas; formerly of Kenedy, died on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the age of 67 years, in Houston, Texas.

Travis was born on December 1, 1944 the son of Robert and Gertrude Broadnax Shelton in Kenedy, Texas.

Travis was a hardworking ranch hand and enjoyed what he did. He was always ready to  help out where it was needed. He always had a smile on his face that could light up a room. His smile and sense of humor will be missed.

Travis is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Lino of Beeville; his children, Marivel Lino, John Lino and James Lino all of Beeville; his sister, Nora Ann Shelton of San Antonio; and his brothers, Charles and Johnny Shelton, both of San Antonio. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Robert and Allen Shelton; and his sister, Jean Shelton.

A prayer service was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel at 7:30 P.M., with Rev. Mary Posey oficiating. Funeral services were at 2:30 P.M., Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery.